Workers warn of intensified agitation amid rising job insecurity and low wages
Munish Sood
Shimla
In a significant show of discontent, outsourced employees from various government departments across Himachal Pradesh staged a large-scale protest in Shimla on Friday, demanding a comprehensive policy framework to ensure job security and fair compensation. The demonstration, held at Chaura Maidan, witnessed the participation of hundreds of workers who raised slogans against the state government and vowed to continue their agitation until their demands are addressed.
Employees from key departments, including the Horticulture Department, Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board, and Jal Shakti Department, joined the protest in large numbers, reflecting growing unrest among the outsourced workforce.
The protesters stated that many of them have been rendering continuous services for 15 to 20 years, yet remain deprived of regularisation and basic employment benefits. They alleged that despite their long tenure, they continue to work under uncertain contractual arrangements without any long-term security.
Highlighting the issue of inadequate wages, the employees said they are currently being paid approximately ₹13,000 per month, which they described as grossly insufficient given the rising cost of living. They maintained that the existing remuneration does not allow them to meet even basic household expenses.
The situation has been further aggravated by recent instances of termination of outsourced staff in certain departments, which, according to the protesters, has created an atmosphere of fear and instability among employees.
During the protest, the employees reiterated two primary demands — the formulation of a clear and uniform policy for outsourced workers to ensure job security, and the implementation of the principle of “equal pay for equal work” to address wage disparities.
Ashwini Sharma, convenor of the Outsourced Employees’ Union, said the issues have been repeatedly raised with the government, but no decisive action has been taken so far. He cautioned that failure to resolve the matter in a timely manner would compel employees to intensify their agitation in the coming days.
The protest has once again brought the issue of outsourcing practices and employment security to the forefront in Himachal Pradesh, placing the onus on the government to respond to the growing concerns of a significant section of its workforce.
